Saints’ Thomas ends holdout for $100M deal

All-pro Michael Thomas and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a five-year, $100-million contract with a $20-million signing bonus that will make him the NFL’S highest-paid wide receiver.

According to multiple reports, the deal includes $61 million in guaranteed money, which brings Thomas’ holdout to an end.

Thomas will earn $1.1 million in the final year of his rookie contract in 2019 and the extension will lock him up with the Saints through the 2024 season.

He did not report to training camp while awaiting a new deal and set $20 million per season as his benchmark.

The agreement will set the standard for other receivers in line for new contracts, including Julio Jones and Amari Cooper.

Thomas has 321 catches, the most by any player in NFL history in his first three seasons. Last season, he had 125 catches for 1,405 yards.

Tom Brady enters his 20th NFL season wondering what’s next? The New England Patriots quarterback is days shy of his 42nd birthday and just over one month away from beginning defence of his sixth Super Bowl title.

“I never imagined playing one year of pro football,” Brady said. “It was a dream to be starting quarterback of a high-school football team. ... That’s the approach I still take. Nothing is given in this game.”

Brady said he focused this off-season on getting physically stronger to endure hits in the pocket without losing fluidity in his throwing motion.

Buffalo Bills centre Mitch Morse is in concussion protocol. Morse, 27, signed a four-year, $44.5-million contract with the Bills during the off-season to make him the league’s highest-paid centre. With Kansas City last season, he missed five games with a concussion and has had at least three during his four years in the NFL.